The Lazy Woman’s Guide to DIY Manicures

Let's be honest — getting your nails done every two to three weeks requires a lot of time, energy, and money. Sometimes (depending on what you get), it can also cost you the health of your nails. Whether you're taking a break from regular salon visits for financial reasons or just want to find a good (and easy!) home nail care routine in between visits, you've come to the right place. 

We asked two nail experts to give us their best tips for executing the best manicure at home. Both say that you'll need a few key items, but once you get them, you'll have something rivaling a salon experience in no time.

What You Need for an At-Home Manicure

According to celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein, the first things you'll need for an at-home manicure are some soap to wash your hands, a glass nail file, and a good base coat. "I love [a glass nail file] because it teaches you how to file your nails without tearing, and it is washable and reusable, pretty much for a lifetime," she says. Gerstein recommends one from board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dana Stern. If you're dealing with previous nail damage from extensions or acrylic nails, Gerstein says that Stern's Nail Renewal System also is a must.

"Dr. Stern and I share the belief that nails should be treated just like skin," she explains. "Nutrients to our nails come from our bloodstream. Her formula uses glycolic acid to open up the pores of the nails to deliver hydration and the protein peptides, which is what makes this strengthener so unique." Gerstein swears you'll see a significant difference after just one application using this two-step process. "This takes care of the cuticle and can fill in the damage quickly from gel and acrylic [nails]," she continues. "It's like using a serum before a moisturizer — it makes it work better. This is also a staple for natural care." 

Both Gerstein and Zoya nail polish creative director Rebecca Isa recommend also grabbing a good cuticle oil for any DIY manicure to fully hydrate the nails after you're done. "Use cuticle oil regularly, or a combination serum that rebuilds and reinforces the nail plate and locks in the treatment, [such as] Zoya's Rescue and Repair System," Isa says.

How To Give Yourself a Manicure

Gerstein provided a few easy steps that will help you execute a flawless at-home manicure.

1. "Begin by scrubbing your nails with an antibacterial soap. Think of it like washing your face," she says.

2. "Let the nails dry and then use isopropyl alcohol of at least 75% to cleanse the nail," she continues. "This will act like an astringent and bring your nail to the proper pH level, while eliminating any dust and debris from your nail. It will create a flawless, ultraglossy, long-lasting, and fast-drying manicure." You might be used to using acetone for this step, but Gerstein much prefers alcohol. "Acetone does not cleanse the nail, contrary to what you might think," she says. "Acetone actually leaves debris on the nail and causes polishes to chip faster or not to dry. It's like painting on oil, which never dries."

3. Use a rubbery base coat such as Orly's Bonder. 

4. Paint your nails using your preferred polish. If using gel, you might need an LED nail lamp. 

5. "Always finish up with an amazing top coat," Gerstein says. "My favorite is ASP's Wow It's Dry Top Coat. If you're bold enough to venture into the nail art world, Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat is my recommended top coat. It is known to dry all the layers fast."

Be Sure To Take Polish Breaks

In addition to these steps, Isa has a few key tips for those dealing with nail damage. "One of my top recommendations for maintaining natural nails at home is to keep it simple, but first and foremost, focus on maintaining or repairing the condition of your nails and cuticles," she says. "A smooth, healthy nail and cuticle will make polish look amazing, extend its wear, and expand your options, whether you prefer a naked or nude look or a perfectly polished finish."

One of her biggest tips for nail health? Take polish breaks! "I remove everything [every two weeks] and just massage in cuticle oil, balm, or serum, and buff my nails daily before returning to polish," she says. "During this time, I do something Zoya herself taught me 20 years ago: Lightly tap your nails on a surface like a mouse pad or a silicone phone case for a few minutes. She used to do it on her notebook or appointment book in the salon. This helps stimulate blood flow to the matrix, naturally increasing the rate of nail growth and strength."

Best Polishes for a DIY Manicure

The world really is your oyster when it comes to nail polishes, but both Gerstein and Isa have a few easy-to-use options they favor when doing their own nails at home. "I'm a big fan of color correctors like the Zoya Naked Manicure Lavender Perfector, which helps mask nail discoloration and smooths out the nail's surface," Isa says. "Use it under polish for a finished, natural look with a semimatte or ultraglossy top coat."

She also loves nail strengtheners including Qtica Natural Nail Growth Stimulator and Zoya Naked Manicure Gelie-Cure to keep nails healthy and protected.

Gerstein is a fan of Essie Couture polishes. "The twist in the brush guides the right amount of polish and helps [keep] it from dripping," she says.

If you're feeling especially lazy and don't want to bother with polish at all, press-on nails are also always a good option. You can execute the first few steps Gerstein provided above and then stick on your preferred nails. Gerstein likes Kiss Impress press-ons because the glue is already adhered to the nails. All you need to do is prep the nails, size, and apply. It can be done in under five minutes, and can you really beat that?